Karnataka High Court notice to BBMP on plea to maintain footpaths in disable-friendly condition

The High Court of Karnataka on Monday ordered issue of notice to the State government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on a PIL petition, which has sought a direction to the authorities to ensure that the footpaths and roads in the city are maintained in strict compliance with the requirements of the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 2016.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order on the petition filed by Letzkit Foundation, a city-based NGO.

It has been pointed out that even in places where the footpaths are properly laid in central parts of the city, they are not user friendly, particularly for the physically challenged persons. The 2016 Act emphasises the creation of a barrier-free environment, which includes accessible footpaths, the creation of a barrier-free environment, which includes accessible footpaths, for physically challenged persons, it has been stated in the petition.

Obstructions galore

Also, the petitioner has pointed out that there are large number of encroachment of footpaths across the city and at many places the residents have used the footpaths in front of their compound walls for gardening, either permanent in nature or by placing large flower pots with large flower bearing plants.

It has also been complained in the petition that despite several directions issued by the court on clearing encroachments of footpaths in other PIL petitions earlier, the authorities have failed to keep the footpaths and streets free from obstructions.